Politics & Media

Aug 22, 2016, 02:16PM

The New York Times Is Correct on Necessity of Immigration Reform

It’s not often I agree with a New York Times editorial, but Sunday’s lead comment on the current environment of xenophobia in the United States was, for the most part, correct. The now-quaint notion that America was a welcoming country, one that encouraged immigrants from all over the world, bolstering the economy and enriching communities, no longer exists. It’s my view that this debate runs in cycles—and, at some point, whether led by Democrats or Republicans, Congress will finally pass legislation promoting meaningful immigration reform. Unfortunately, that’ll probably take a few more election cycles.

However, as usual, the left-wing Times editorial writers indulged in saucy prose blaming Donald Trump—a troglodyte on the issue—in particular, and the GOP in general, for this disheartening refutation of one of America’s most compelling historical attributes. The edit begins: “Donald Trump is heading to November like a certain zeppelin heading to New Jersey [I assume that zeppelin isn’t Gov. Chris Christie, but one can’t be sure], in a darkening sky that crackles with electricity… There’s still no telling what will happen when the gasbag reaches the mooring… Yes, Mr. Trump speaks frontier gibberish. Outright nativism remains a fringe American phenomenon.”

“Fringe phenomenon”? I don’t think so. Correct me if I’m mistaken, but President Obama, upon his election in 2008, was gifted with a Democratic Congress for two years, yet despite his rhetoric (echoing that of his maligned predecessor) extolling the American Dream and calling for immigration reform, he never acted on it. The Times doesn’t mention that. Hillary Clinton, in the current election, barely pays lip service to the idea, knowing that millions of Democrats agree with Trump (and Ted Cruz, among other Republicans) that “foreigners” needn’t attempt to land on these shores. It’s a toxic issue, and Democrats are tickled to take cover on it, knowing that Trump’s meandering and incoherent promises of, say, a wall separating Mexico from the U.S. means they can stay silent.

Additionally, you’d think the Times might detour for a sentence or two from its Clinton cheerleading to mention the Democratic candidate has become an ardent protectionist, now opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership that Obama, to his credit, is trying, likely in vain, to get passed. If elected, will she attempt to repeal NAFTA (one of her husband’s accomplishments) as well?

The editorial continues: “Optimists, eyes on the polls, hope that Mr. Trump, in losing, will discredit these views [nativism] and that Republicans will next year sue for peace. Under this scenario Hillary Clinton and Paul Ryan or whoever is running Congress will move fast to push forward a rational immigration reform bill.”

I’m not one of those optimists. Hillary Clinton is for Hillary Clinton, and like her husband, will govern by polls. Yes, the Times is correct that certain Republicans have exhibited—reveled in!—scurrilous demagoguery on immigration, but Clinton, in her silence, is nearly as complicit.

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Discussion

Couldn't agree more about Clintons doing what is good for Clintons over country first. That said, can't believe you are resorting to the long debunked talking point that Obama had a filibuster proof majority and therefore could have passed immigration reform or anything else with ease. He may have had a simple majority but the republicans/McConnell et. al. made it perfectly clear that they would (and did) filibuster every measure that Democrats proposed, not to mention the fact that with DINOS like Bernie and Lieberman, the Dems never could have a filibuster proof majority (thank god). I'd have far preferred that Obama focused om infrastructure and immigration initially over the disastrous Obamacare but lets not pretend he had much choice considering the lines drawn by both sides long before the real battles began.

When it's close, things can be done. See the Louisiana Purchase and the Cornhusker Kickback wrt ACA. Obama might have been able to do it, if he'd had the brains and wanted to spend the political capital. Remember, a cause not done remains a potent instrument of political rhetoric. You may be tool old to recall the lapel-tearing over the "oil depletion allowance" which could have been ended any time those clowns had a quorum. They finally did and....had to find something else. Most inconvenient.
What is "rational"? That's usually the honey spread on the broken glass you're expected to swallow.